EP 82 - What I Wish I Knew About Light as a Beginner
Hi hi 👋 Today’s episode is part photo talk, part life update—because if there’s one thing I’ve learned lately, it’s that creativity doesn’t stop just because life gets a little chaotic. If anything, it expands.
Life Lately
Georgia is over four months old now and has already been on a few flights. She’s officially part of the travel crew. Balancing motherhood and wedding photography isn’t easy—between late nights, long shooting days, and general new-parent life—but we’re figuring it out. If you’re in the same season, especially working events with a little one, I see you. Hit me up if you ever want to talk about it.
Also... I picked up a new hobby: DJing. Yep. After watching an amazing DJ at a wedding we shot recently, I came home and immediately ordered a controller board. It’s waiting in it’s box still, but it sounds like such a fun little side creative outlet. Zero pressure, all joy. Highly recommend finding something just for you outside of work.
Let’s Talk About Light…
How I Used to Shoot
When I first started shooting, I was afraid of the sun. I stuck to backlight or even, shaded light because I didn’t fully understand how to work with anything else. The result? Safe photos. Pretty, but predictable.
Where I’m At Now
Now? I crave the sun. I love using direct light and deep shadows. I love tension in an image. It’s way more interesting to me than a flatly lit scene. Light doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to say something.
Common Lighting Mistakes I Made (and Maybe You Are Too)
I used to avoid including the sky in my photos because the exposure felt tricky. I skipped over interesting shadows because I wasn’t confident in how to shoot them. I only shot in light that felt “safe”—and that made my galleries all look the same. Once I started experimenting, everything changed.
Why Dynamic Light Matters
Light tells the story. It adds emotion, depth, and energy. Look for splotches of light. Lean into contrast. Don't be afraid of a shadow across someone’s face—sometimes that’s the most cinematic part of the frame.
Flash? I Love It.
Flash has saved the day more times than I can count, but it’s not just a backup plan—it’s a creative tool. I use the Profoto A10 most often, but I’ve been testing out the Godox B1 lately and it’s a fun switch. Whether I’m using TTL or manual, the goal is always the same: keep the photo feeling alive and authentic.
Creating Galleries That Feel Like Stories
Lighting variety = visual interest. I love mixing flash and ambient light in one gallery. It helps the full day feel more layered and cinematic. Jake and I recently shot a wedding where we used a video light handheld during the reception—it gave the coolest gritty, moody results. Highly recommend playing around with that technique if you haven’t yet.
My Best Advice? Just Try It.
Don’t wait until you “have it all figured out.” Practice on a Tuesday afternoon. Bring a friend outside and shoot in harsh sun. Try that modifier you’ve been eyeing. Even the mistakes will teach you something—and the wins will elevate your work in ways you didn’t expect.
Thanks for reading along. Whether you’re deep in the wedding season trenches or just looking to shake things up creatively, I hope this inspires you to experiment a little. Light is such a powerful tool—and it’s never too late to learn how to use it in a new way.
Talk soon,
Summer ✨
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